UPSC Prelims 2009 Q114: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10
members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of
- (a) 1 year
- (b) 2 years
- (c) 3 years
- (d) 5 years
Answer: (b) 2 years
Explanation
Term length for the UN Security Council's non-permanent members
The UNSC's 10 non-permanent seats (alongside the 5 permanent members) follow a specific rotation schedule.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) 1 year | Incorrect | Too short a term for this specific rotation |
| (b) 2 years | Correct | Non-permanent UNSC members are elected by the General Assembly for a 2-year term, with half rotating out each year |
| (c) 3 years | Incorrect | Not the correct term length |
| (d) 5 years | Incorrect | Too long; this is not the mandated term |
UNSC non-permanent member facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term length | 2 years |
| Elected by | UN General Assembly |
Answer: (b) 2 years.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 1 year is too short for this term.
- (b) CORRECT. UNSC non-permanent members serve a 2-year term.
- (c) Incorrect. 3 years is not the correct term length.
- (d) Incorrect. 5 years is too long for this term.
Key point
The UN Security Council's 10 non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly, serve 2-YEAR terms.
Remember
UN Security Council's non-permanent members serve a 2-year term.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the UNSC's 2-year non-permanent term with other UN bodies' different term lengths (like ECOSOC's 3-year term).
- Not knowing the staggered rotation (half the seats renew each year).
- Mixing up this term length with unrelated international bodies.
Exam tip
UNSC non-permanent members = 2-year terms, elected by the General Assembly, with staggered annual rotation.
Sources
- Charter of the United Nations, Articles 23 and 27 (Security Council: composition and voting)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — United Nations Security Council